Sanderling - Edmonds WA

[Terry Olmsted]

The first I have seen this season - glad to have them back
This guy was really brave - almost walked too close for me to get a focus.
3/6/09 Canon 40D 400 5.6L 1/1250s f5.6 ISO 800 Eval Metering

[Axel Hildebrandt]

I like the walking pose and head angle. It looks a bit too contrasty on my monitor and the head is oversharpened. A lower angle would have made it even better and I might clone out the dark spot behind the bird and run NR on the BG.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Terry, was the image originally underexposed? I ask this because I see some colour noise on the chest/belly of the sanderling...typical of what happens when lightening shadows too aggressively. I agree with Axel on other points too (including the nice walking pose and good head angle), and would also give it back some canvas in front (if you have it).

[Fabs Forns]

I also see it still underexposed. The bird is too centered in the frame, cropppin some of the left would make it stronger in composition.

[Terry Olmsted]

Thanks for the very helpful suggestions. Looking back at the RAW file, it was underexposed. The bird was in shade and there was an overall greenish cast. I've made some changes that hopefully are an improvement, but couldn't incorporate all the suggestions. Hopefully I'll get another chance to see them again in better light.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

The repost is a big improvement.

[Daniel Cadieux]

I agree...big improvement! :-)

[Terry Olmsted]

A big thanks for the help and the encouragement!